Beloved in Christ,
Let’s do the Father’s will. We find in this Sunday’s Gospel a parable that calls us to do the Father’s will. What is the Father's will? What does it entail to do his will? In the parable, the father approached his two sons and asked them to go out to his vineyard to work that day. The first son refused but later on changed his mind and went to work. The second son said, “Yes, sir, but did not go”(Mat. 21:30). Doing the father’s will is a fundamental requirement to be part of his Kingdom. Doing the will of the Father, in the case of this parable, is an invitation to go into his vineyard and work productively. It demands a change of mind, of attitude, and repentance.
God invites us to do his will on earth as the angels in heaven carry out his will. The invitation calls us to holiness and to commit to keeping the divine law. Our response to the Father’s will must begin with conversion. John the Baptist came to preach this conversion to Israel. The worst examples of sinners, tax collectors and prostitutes, listened to John the Baptist by repenting and following the Lord. The Pharisees, on the contrary, chose not to repent but, with a prideful attitude, thought themselves good enough and in no need of repentance to receive God’s mercy and grace.
To do God’s will, to live a productive holy life by working in his vineyard, begins when we listen to the invitation to repent, to change from evil ways to good. It means following Jesus closely every day. It requires embracing Christ's attitude: a humble heart. “Have in you the same attitude that is also in Christ Jesus,” St. Paul reminds us in Phil. 2:5. It takes humility to admit our need for repentance and God’s mercy. Once we choose a humble attitude, we will come to understand God’s mercy and justice. God is just and merciful. As Ezekiel says, if someone “turns from the wickedness he has committed, and does what is right and just, he shall preserve his life, since he has turned away from all the sins that he has committed, he shall surely live, he shall not die” ( Ez. 18:28).
Today, let’s choose to do the Father’s will: be humble to accept that we are sinners in need of God’s gracious mercy, turn away from our sins, and begin to cultivate a virtuous, holy life that demands a daily obedience to God’s word. Let’s strive to understand and do the Father’s will, now and always.
The World Day of Migrants and Refugees is observed today. As we remember our brothers and sisters who fall into this category, let us reflect on the four verbs that express our response to their dire condition: to welcome. to protect, to promote, and to integrate.”
Next Sunday is traditionally observed as the feast of St. Francis, and an appropriate day for the blessing of pets and animals. As we have done in the past, we will bless pets and animals in front of the historic church next Sunday at 2pm.
Also, remember that October is the month dedicated to the Holy Rosary of the BVM. We should pray the rosary thirty minutes before each Sunday Mass in October. We will pray the Rosary a lot in October as we pray for the unborn and all the vulnerable on Respect Life Sunday next Sunday.
Thank you for praying with me on my priestly ordination anniversary on September 23. I am filled with joy and gratitude for your love and support. You are one of the reasons I am a joyful priest!
Mo dupe, mo m’ore.
In Jesus, through Mary,
Fr. Alayode, OP
Let’s do the Father’s will. We find in this Sunday’s Gospel a parable that calls us to do the Father’s will. What is the Father's will? What does it entail to do his will? In the parable, the father approached his two sons and asked them to go out to his vineyard to work that day. The first son refused but later on changed his mind and went to work. The second son said, “Yes, sir, but did not go”(Mat. 21:30). Doing the father’s will is a fundamental requirement to be part of his Kingdom. Doing the will of the Father, in the case of this parable, is an invitation to go into his vineyard and work productively. It demands a change of mind, of attitude, and repentance.
God invites us to do his will on earth as the angels in heaven carry out his will. The invitation calls us to holiness and to commit to keeping the divine law. Our response to the Father’s will must begin with conversion. John the Baptist came to preach this conversion to Israel. The worst examples of sinners, tax collectors and prostitutes, listened to John the Baptist by repenting and following the Lord. The Pharisees, on the contrary, chose not to repent but, with a prideful attitude, thought themselves good enough and in no need of repentance to receive God’s mercy and grace.
To do God’s will, to live a productive holy life by working in his vineyard, begins when we listen to the invitation to repent, to change from evil ways to good. It means following Jesus closely every day. It requires embracing Christ's attitude: a humble heart. “Have in you the same attitude that is also in Christ Jesus,” St. Paul reminds us in Phil. 2:5. It takes humility to admit our need for repentance and God’s mercy. Once we choose a humble attitude, we will come to understand God’s mercy and justice. God is just and merciful. As Ezekiel says, if someone “turns from the wickedness he has committed, and does what is right and just, he shall preserve his life, since he has turned away from all the sins that he has committed, he shall surely live, he shall not die” ( Ez. 18:28).
Today, let’s choose to do the Father’s will: be humble to accept that we are sinners in need of God’s gracious mercy, turn away from our sins, and begin to cultivate a virtuous, holy life that demands a daily obedience to God’s word. Let’s strive to understand and do the Father’s will, now and always.
The World Day of Migrants and Refugees is observed today. As we remember our brothers and sisters who fall into this category, let us reflect on the four verbs that express our response to their dire condition: to welcome. to protect, to promote, and to integrate.”
Next Sunday is traditionally observed as the feast of St. Francis, and an appropriate day for the blessing of pets and animals. As we have done in the past, we will bless pets and animals in front of the historic church next Sunday at 2pm.
Also, remember that October is the month dedicated to the Holy Rosary of the BVM. We should pray the rosary thirty minutes before each Sunday Mass in October. We will pray the Rosary a lot in October as we pray for the unborn and all the vulnerable on Respect Life Sunday next Sunday.
Thank you for praying with me on my priestly ordination anniversary on September 23. I am filled with joy and gratitude for your love and support. You are one of the reasons I am a joyful priest!
Mo dupe, mo m’ore.
In Jesus, through Mary,
Fr. Alayode, OP
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